As the 20th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo opened in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 5, the city once again showcased its cultural creativity and technological innovation to the world.

International content creators participating in the 20th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industries Expo pose for a group photo on Nov 5. [Photo/ehangzhou.gov.cn]

A group of international content creators embarked on a journey through the expo, which brought together nearly 6,000 cultural and creative brands from more than 40 countries and regions. Exploring five themed exhibition halls, they discovered how traditional culture, cutting-edge technology, and contemporary creativity are shaping new cultural experiences.

From playing chess with robots and interacting with robot dogs to sampling ice cream made by robots, the visitors got to experience some of the latest applications of AI. They also explored digital recreations of ancient grottoes, encountered traditional Chinese craftsmanship, and immersed themselves in interactive exhibitions inspired by the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

Among the exhibits, traditional movable-type printing caught the attention of Alistair Samuel from the United Kingdom. "There were lots of different things to see, but one of the things I found best was the calligraphy station. They had the old printing press, which showed how they carved hanzi(Chinese characters) onto wood, applied ink, and then rolled the paper to get the characters. Old Chinese calligraphy and hanziare beautiful," he said.

The integration of technology and cultural heritage also impressed visitors. Gabrielle Chen from the United States said, "The thing that surprised me most was the integration between AI and intangible cultural heritage, bringing together futuristic technology and a love of the past."

Participants play with an AI chess robot. [Photo/ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The journey continued with a taste of international creativity. The group visited the Egyptian-themed exhibition featuring replicas of artifacts associated with the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun. They also explored Polish paper-cutting art, and exchanged ideas with international exhibitors. Hands-on activities, including traditional rubbing and other handicraft experiences, offered a closer look at the craftsmanship behind China's cultural heritage.

Participants listen to an explanation about how robots are developing. [Photo/ehangzhou.gov.cn]

On Nov 6, the visitors turned their attention to Hangzhou's technological innovation, touring the city's Embodied Intelligent Exhibition Center to explore real-world applications of robotics. They also visited Leapmotor's experience center, where they learned about smart vehicle design and advanced electric vehicle technologies.

Reflecting on the two-day journey, Daniel Anteneh from Ethiopia said, "The interesting part is that you can find both modern and ancient things in China. Everything is blending together, and that's the most interesting thing."

Bringing together cultural heritage, global creativity, and emerging technologies, the two-day journey offered an engaging perspective on a city where tradition meets innovation and cultural exchange opens new possibilities for the future.